The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officially cut the ribbon on its new Hawk Falls Bridge. The $88 million bridge replacement project enhances safety and mobility for the
area, while improving the overall functionality of the bridge at milepost 88.59 on the Northeast Extension.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves a safe and reliable transportation network and that includes modernized bridges, like Hawk Falls, that improve access and traffic flow, helping motorists arrive at destinations safely and quickly,” said Michael Carroll, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PA Secretary of Transportation. “Addressing aging infrastructure is one of Pennsylvania’s top priorities, and I’m proud to say the Commonwealth’s repaired more bridges than any other state in the nation in 2023.”
The new bridge supports two lanes of traffic in each direction and increases shoulder and median width to support safer travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a crucial improvement as passenger and commercial traffic volumes in this area are higher than pre-pandemic numbers, now averaging more than 24,000 vehicles per day. The new bridge reduces long-term maintenance needs and improves longevity through using weathering steel and eliminating expansion joints.
“The opening of the new Hawk Falls Bridge shows that even after 85 years, we’re still leading the way in providing safe and convenient travel to our customers throughout our beautiful Commonwealth,” said Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. “By enhancing one of its most critical transportation corridors and improving travel reliability for commuters and commercial drivers, we’re driving home the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s mission to provide a safe and reliable roadway system that supports mobility and national commerce.”
Standing nearly 200 feet above water and surrounded by Hickory Run State Park’s natural beauty, the new steel deck arch bridge replaces the existing steel deck truss bridge and extends 720 feet across Mud Run Gorge. Its 465-foot main span is supported by three arches. To ease future inspections, the new structure’s arch ribs contain nearly 8 miles of wiring, are fully lit and connected to electric and ventilation systems.
“The Hawk Falls Bridge’s uniquely tailored design and construction choices merge environmental, aesthetic and long-term operational needs,” said Brad Heigel, PA Turnpike Chief Engineer. “Not only will the bridge enhance the natural beauty of Hickory Run State Park, it will also allow drivers and local first responders more room and places to pull over during emergencies, supporting safer travel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.”
Construction on the new Hawk Falls Bridge Project began in 2022. In addition to fully replacing the Hawk Falls Bridge, the project also reconstructed the nearby Hickory Run Road Bridge in Penn Forest and Kidder Townships, Carbon County.
The new bridge was constructed using 3,304 tons of structural steel, 4,800 cubic yards of concrete and more than 1.1 million pounds of rebar. The large cranes used to construct the arches were delivered in parts and assembled on site. Each crane took approximately 70 tractor-trailer loads to deliver.
